Securing and supporting means



Sept. 22, 1936. v. s. s. BERNSTEIN ,0 ,2 SECURING AND SUPPORTING MEANS Filed July 11, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l FREE.

INVENTOR 5AMUEL 5. BEIPNSTEIN ATTORNEY Sept. 22, 1936. s. s. BIVERNSTEIN 2,055,213

SECURING AND SUPPORTING MEANS Filed July 11, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR .SA/v UEL 5. BEIPNSTE/N fit M ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 22, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention has to do in a general way with articles or devices adapted to be driven into Wooden frame structures and the like for the purpose of securing or supporting other objects or elements therefrom.

It is a primary object of this invention to produce a device of the class described which can be easily and quickly installed and which is associated with means for positively locking the device in place so that it cannot be loosened or removed by ,the continued or repeated application of excessive tension or pulling force thereto as is the case with the conventional nail or screw.

This. invention was developed for use in the manufacture of furniture and has as a still further object the provision of means which are neat in appearance whereby the fabric bottom can be firmly connected to the seat frame in chairs and the like. 7

2O In this connection, my invention further contemplates a novel combination of elements which co-operate to provide an improved seat frame construction. In the combination just referred to the securing and supporting means contemplated by this invention is adapted for use in a modified construction to provide a new and improved type of corner brace or corner block.

My invention further contemplates an improved type of flat spring connection which is especially adapted for use in the combination just referred to, such connection having the advantage of bringing the ends of the Webbing strip closer to the side rails of the seat frame and thereby permitting the placement of the helical 5 seat supporting springs closer to the frame. This spring construction being of a substantially fiat nature permits the placement of a portion of the spring over a part of the spring connection by placing a fabric silencer in between if desired.

40 This is a decided improvement over the conventional helical spring which is used in securing the webbing strips or the fabric bottoms in the seat frames as they are now constructed.

The general construction of the securing and 45 supporting means contemplated by this invention comprises a thin metal plate which has a wedge shaped portion adapted to be driven into the wooden frame structure. This wedge shaped portion has a longitudinal groove therein adapted to receive a nail or other suitable type of pin which is driven into the frame structure at an angle to the wedge portion of the plate, such nail passing through the slot and thereby securely locking the securing member in place.

55, Although I prefer to drive the securing member into the supporting surface near an edge thereof, so that the nail or pin can be driven in through the. edge, it will be seen that the nail can be driven through the same surface which receives the plate by directing the same at an angle.

In order that the nail may be guided into the longitudinal slot, I prefer to bevel the edges of the slots inwardly for this purpose. As an additional precaution against the plate being withdrawn, I 10 further propose to use a nail which is of slightly larger diameter than the slot so that the metal around the slot is expanded by the nail, thereby forming a secure wedging lock which holds the plate solidly in the particular position to which 15 it has been driven.

Although, as pointed out above, my invention was designed primarily for use in connection with furniture, under which circumstances the plate is substantially fiat and is formed so as to have an extending portion equipped with the connecting means,,either in the form of aneye or a hook, it will be seen that, the construction readily lends itself to numerous other adaptations and my invention further embodies certain modifications in this construction wherein the principle of the invention is adapted to other uses.

The invention therefore further contemplates an improved type of hasp construction which can be employed in connection with doors, gates and the like. My invention further contem-i plates an improved type of hinge which has the advantage of being readily installed and when once installed will not become loose or dislodged after a period of continued use.

The details in the construction of the device and the, combinations contemplated by this invention will be best understood from the following description of the accompanying drawings which are chosen for illustrative purposes only, and in which Fig. 1 is an inverted plan section of a chair seat illustrating onepreferred use of my invention and one preferred form of the combination contemplated by this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on the line 22 of Fig. 1; i I

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section similar to Fig. 2 and showing a slight modification in the spring and webbing securing means construction;

V Fig. 4 is a plan view of the connection shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing one preferred type of wedge fastener or securing means contemplated by this invention; f

gaged by metal edges;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating -a preferred form of corner block or corner brace contemplated by this invention r K Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional elevation taken I on the line ll-'II of Fig. l and illustrating further details in the construction of this corner brace;

Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation showing a preferred form of hasp contemplated by this inven- Fig. .13 .is a perspective view showing parts in section. and illustrating a. preferred form of hinge construction which embodies the wedge type of securing means contemplated by this invention; and

Fig. 14 is a plan section illustrating further details in the construction of the hinge member.

More particularly describing the invention as herein illustrated, reference numeral I I indicates a seat frame for a chair or the like which consists of side rails I 2 and I2, a front rail l3, a back rail l3 and legs 14. For the purpose of bracing the frameI provide a series of corner blocks IS, the particular construction of which isva-lso-contemplated by this invention and will be described in detail later in the specification. Referencenumerals wand-l6 indicate interlaced webbing strips which constitute the fabric bottom for the chair frame, such fabric bottom comprising a support for helical springs ll which in turn are adapted to support a cushion not shown.

In the particular form illustrated the front endsof the webbing strips l6 are fixedly secured to the front rail I 3 and the ends of the strips I6 and the rear ends of the strips 1'6 are yieldably attached to their corresponding rails. The connecting means in all cases, however, are adjustable as will later be described.

Reference numeral I9 indicates wedge plates which are driven into the side rails I2 and I 2' and the back rail l3 in substantial alignment and in spaced relation with each other for the purpose of engaging and supporting the webbing strip supporting means. These so-called wedge plates 19 have end portions 20 which in turn are shown as being provided with apertures 2|.

helical springs each having one end received in an aperture in one of the wedge plates on the side rails and each having its other end received in a central aperture formed on a webbing clamping plate generally indicated by reference numeral 23. .7

Reference numeral 24 indicates so-called fiat connecting springs which areshown as being connected to the wedge plates on the rear rail l3. The ends of the connection 24 are received in apertures. in webbing clamping plates 23. The flat spring connection 24 is a novel type of construction'which has certain advantages over the conventional helical spring type of connection in that it is especially adapted for u'sein Referencenumeral 22 indicates a plurality of furniture construction and permits the placement of the ends of the webbing strips nearer to the side rails. This connection comprises a resilient tempered Wire indicated in Figure 2 by reference numeral 25 which is bent to a substantial crotch shape, providing a central point of connection 26 which in this form of my invention is shown as comprising a hook adapted for reception in the aperture on the wedge plate, and two oppositely extending arms 21 and 21' which terminate in flat spring coils 28 and 28. The two ends of the resilient wire are extended forvvardly beyond the spring coils in projections 29 and 29 which in turn are provided with hooks 30 adapted for reception in the apertures in the clamping plates 23'. It will be observed that the oppositely extending arms 27 and 21, the spring coils 28, 28 and the forward projections 29, 29' all lie in substantially parallel planes so that the unit is substantially flat and will permit the placement of the base cushioning springs over a part of the unit if desired.

The construction of the wedge clamping plate 23 (and23') is substantially the same as that shown in my co-pending application for patent, Serial No. 658,768, filed on February 27, 1933, in that each plate is provided with a slot 34 adapted to receive a loop 35 in the end of the webbing, such loop being retained in the slot by means of a lock pin 36.

Figs. 3 and 4 show a slightly modified construction in the flat spring type of connection, the flat spring 24' being similar in all respects to the spring 24 except that the central point of connection is made in the form ofa loop 38 which extends over a hook 39 formedon the outwardly extending end 40 of the wedge plate I9a. Those parts in Figs. 3 and 4 which are identical with the corresponding parts in Fig. 2 are indicated by the same reference numeral distinguished with the prime mark.

As has been previously pointed out, the socalled securing means contemplated by this invention is of a nature such that it can be easily driven into a material such as wood and is associated with means for securely locking the same in place afterit has been driven to the desired position. To accomplish this objective I provide the wedge portion '42 of the plate I9 with a longitudinal slot 43 which is adapted to receive a nail or other suitable locking pin 4'4 which in turn is driven 'into the wood at an angle with the plates and in a direction such that it will pass through the slot 43 as a means for guiding the nail or pin into the slot I propose to bevel the edges of 'the slot as indicated at 45 in Fig. '7'.

I consider it preferable, and especially in the particular type of construction shown in Fig. l, to drive the wedge plates near the edge of the frame member in which they are received so that the nails or look pins can be driven through the edge at right angles to the plate, but it is to be understood that the nails may be driven through the same surface whichre'ceive's the wedge plate merely by directing them at an angle toward the wedge plate.

In order to provide a positive and secure lock between the nail and the slot, regardless'of the portion of the slot which receives the nail, I pro-' pose to use a nail or'pin which is slightly larger than the slot 'so that the metal of the plate is expanded around the nail o'r pin as is clearly shown in Fig. 4 and as indicated in broken lines in Fig. 5. It is to be understood that the wedge portion '42 of the-plates can be made'in various shapes to adapt them desired.

In Fig; the wedge portion 42 is shown as comprising a forwardly extending pointed tongue 49 at the base of which two short tapered sections 56 and 50' are provided. In Fig. 6 in which the same elements corresponding tothose in Fig. 5 are indicated by the same reference numeral distinguished with the prime mark, the wedge portion is shown as comprising a single tapered wedge. In the use of either of these constructions, I may employ a special recessed tool to gauge the depth to which the wedge is driven into the frame structure.

This wedge and pin type of connection has a distinct advantage from a manufacturing standpoint in that it can be made in a single stamping operation and it lends itself to numerous other uses besides those just described. For example, the clamping plate 56 on the front of the wedge strip I6 is similar in a general way to the clamping plate 23 except that it is stamped with two projecting wedge members or points 5| and 5| which are provided with slots and are adapted to receive nails 52. In stamping the points of the wedge members 5| I form a central section 53 which is preferably bent back at right angles to the main portion of the plate and is drilled for the reception of screws providing a flange support as indicated in Fig. 8.

Another adaptation of the wedge and locking pin construction is provided in the corner plate I5, the details of which are clearly illustrated in Fig. 10. This corner plate is cut from a single piece of fiat metal so as to provide a central angle section 55 adapted to fit in the desired corner, such angle section being cut so as to form a pair of forwardly projecting points or wedge members 56 and 56 at the rear edge of the corner section and on opposite ends of the plate l5. These wedge sections 56 and 56 are provided with slots 51 and 51, such corner plates being" driven into the corners of the frame with the wedge members entering the side rails and nails are driven through the slots in the same manner described above. The formation of this corner plate also leaves extending metal flanges indicated by reference numeral 58 which can be drilled for the reception of screws or nails as indicated at 59.

Another adaptation of the wedge and locking pin type. of construction is shown in Fig. 12 where the unit is embodied in a hasp. This hasp is shown as being associated with double doors 60 and 60 and comprises a wedge member 6| which has an outer extending portion 62 bent at right angles thereto the inner extended portion has a staple 63 mounted thereon. The other section of the hasp comprises a wedge member 6| which also has an outer extending portion 62' bent at right angles thereto, and this portion has a plate 64 hinged to it. The plate 64 is slotted as indicated at 64' to receive the staple 63. Both the wedge members 6| and 6| are provided with slots 65 adapted to receive nails 66 which are driven into the respective margins of the doors.

Figs. 13 and 14 show still another adaptation which may be made of the wedge type of connecting means, such adaptation comprising a hinge generally indicated by reference numeral 61. The hinge 61 comprises leaf members 68 and 68, each of which is provided with an ear or wedge member 69 formed at right angles thereto. The wedge members 69 are provided with to the particular use longitudinal slots H1 adapted to receive nails 1|. Both the wedge members and the nails are driven through the edges and the sides, respectively, of a door jamb l2 and a door l3. In order to facilitate the installation of hinge members the face on which the wedge sections is formed or cut away as indicated at 15 to permit the placement of a punch or other driving tool thereagainst whereby the leaf can be driven into a point at which it is in engagementwith the surface through which the wedge extends.

It is to be understood that, while I have herein described and illustrated one preferred combination in which my invention is to be used, and have indicated various modifications thereof, the invention is not limited to the precise construction described herein but includes within its scope whatever changes fairly come within the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A securing and supporting device embodying the combination of a thin metal plate having an opening therein and having a wedge shaped portion adapted to be driven into a supporting member, said wedge shaped portion having a beveled slot therein; and a securing member of larger diameter than said slot adapted to be forced into said supporting member at an angle with said plate and through said slot.

2. A securing and supporting device embodying the combination of a thin metal plate having an opening therein and having a wedge shaped portion adapted to be driven into a supporting member, said wedge shaped portion having a bevelled slot therein; and pin means of larger diameter than said slot adapted to be forced into said supporting member at an angle with said plate and through said slot.

3. The combination of a frame section; a thin metal plate having a wedge shaped portion formed with a longitudinal slot and driven into said frame section; pin means forced into said frame section at an angle with said plate and having a portion thereof extending through said slot deforming an edge thereof, said slot being formed with its edges beveled inwardly away from the direction of entry of said pin thereby providing deformable guide surfaces for said pin; and attaching means on the extending portion of said plate.

4. The combination of a frame section; a thin metal plate having a wedge shaped portion formed with a longitudinal slot and driven into said frame section; pin means forced into said frame section at an angle with said plate and having a portion thereof extending through said slot deforming an edge thereof, said slot being formed with its edges beveled inwardly away from the direction of entry of said pin thereby providing deformable guide surfaces for said pin; and attaching means on the extending portion of said plate, said wedge portion comprising a centrally disposed pointed tongue and forwardly extending points at the rear of said tongue and on either side thereof.

5. A securing and supporting device embodying the combination of: a thin metal plate having a wedge shaped portion adapted to be driven into a supporting member, said wedge shaped portion having a beveled slot therein; a securing member of larger diameter than said slot adapted to be forced into said supporting member and through the slot in said plate; and attaching means on the end of said plate opposite said wedge shaped portion.

6. A securing. and supporting device embodyto be forced into said supporting member and ing the. combination; of: a thin metal plate havthrough the slot into said plate {and hook means ing a. wedge shaped portion. adapted to be driven on the end of said plate opposite said. wedge into a supporting member, said wedge shaped shaped portion.

q portion having a beveled slot therein; a, securing Y SAMUEL S. BERNSTEIN. 5 member of larger diameter than said slot adapted 

